Kansas coach Charlie Weis has already made it perfectly clear that Kansas will be a "quick stop."

"It's going to be five years. That's the quick stop," Weis said in a radio interview shortly after being hired. "What we're going to do here is we're going to go try to turn this program into a perennial winning program and then try to have it where one of the guys on this coaching staff takes over."

Five years isn't that short, considering how quickly many hires crash and burn long before reaching the half-decade mark. But Weis' mindset has and will define the Jayhawks' efforts throughout his tenure, beginning with his decision to go young in the second half of last season and continuing with KU's recruiting haul this February.

Weis signed 24 players; 15 were off the JUCO level. Every single one of those JUCO transfers will be given the opportunity to start next season – and every single one might start, and every single one will play in some capacity.

Crazy? It's not normal. But it's also smart, and follows the same line of thinking that Weis has held since the day he stepped on campus late in 2011. We need to get moving, he's saying. You do that by building from the bottom up at some positions and getting immediate help at others.

Spring dates: Kansas started spring drills on Mar. 5 and will play a spring game on Apr. 13.

1. What's the next step? As noted above, Weis has planned on turning KU into a "perennial winning program" by the end of his five-year term. So what sort of expectations does he have for 2013? After winning one game last fall – and hanging tight in several Big 12 games – the goal should be to move into the four- or five-win range this season. Is that doable? Yes, especially if the Jayhawks land an impact from the JUCO guys and get noticeable stronger play under center. Both are possible; both should be expected, in fact.

Position battles:

1. Quarterback. The competition is between sophomore Michael Cummings, who started five games down the stretch last fall, and junior Jake Heaps, the former BYU transfer who moved to KU after losing his grasp on the starting job in Provo. Heaps tops the depth chart heading into the spring, and it would be a surprise if he is not under center when KU retakes the field for fall camp. But Cummings remains in the mix, and could be in line for snaps should Heaps struggle regaining his footing or miss any time due to injury.

2. Offensive line. JUCO additions have already made their presence felt as KU begins spring drills. Three linemen – Zach Fondal, Ngalu Fusimalohi and Michael Smithburg – are currently on campus; two, Smithburg and Fusimalohi, stand atop the depth chart at right and left guard, respectively. That has pushed Randall Dent into a reserve role, but it will interesting to see if KU shuffles the current lineup to get some experience on the field.

3. Wide receiver. Again, the Jayhawks' depth chart will be loaded with new additions. One is Oklahoma transfer Justin McCay, who is eligible after sitting out last season. Another pair, Mark Thomas and Rodriguez Coleman, are JUCO additions (of course). With Kale Pick and D.J. Beshears gone, KU should have a spirited competition for the top four or five spots during the spring.